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Mike Coppinger, ESPN
Savannah Marshall, the women’s super middleweight boxing champion, will make her MMA debut June 8 at PFL Europe Newcastle in England, the promotion announced Tuesday.
Marshall, 32, of England, won all four belts at 168 pounds with a majority-decision victory over Franchon Crews Dezurn in July. That was Marshall’s first fight since her only career defeat, a decision loss to Claressa Shields in October 2022.
Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) is ESPN’s No. 7 pound-for-pound women’s boxer.
“Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray, “and now with Savannah’s MMA debut, the two are on a collision course for a rematch wearing four ounce gloves and settling the score in the PFL SmartCage.”
Marshall will compete at lightweight in the PFL. Shields, who is 2-1 with one finish in MMA, made her PFL debut in June 2021 with a victory before she suffered a decision setback that October.
Shields returned to MMA with a victory over Kelsey DeSantis at PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions in February in Saudi Arabia.
Source: www.espn.com